![Words of Eco-Logia – 21st May 2026
Welcome to a new weekly column of Eco-Logia!
EPISODE 7: What does Urban Functional Biodiversity refer to?
How do you feel when you come into contact with the green spaces of your city? Maybe more relaxed, regenerated and energetic! it is not by chance. #Urban Functional #Biodiversity is about various natural #species and their specific functional traits (e.g., nitrogen fixation, pollination, water retention) that maintain #ecosystems and provide essential #services in heavily populated areas. Boosting #climate regulation, favouring flood #control, reducing #pollution, providing recreational spaces and improving human #wellbeing, resilience and health are some of the most significant #benefits they generate.
Being inspired by #Nature’s balance helps #architects, #designers and urban #planners to select vegetation able to optimises specific ecological functions, such as #water infiltration or biodiversity support. Integrating interconnected #green spaces (e.g.: parks, green roofs) and #blue spaces (ponds, wetlands) promotes #habitat connectivity and strengthens urban biodiversity. Moreover, engaging local residents and stakeholders in the planning and management of urban nature, encourages a shared vision of the development of densely inhabited areas, boosting mental and physical health.
Main Strategies for Enhancing Urban Functional Biodiversity are:
· Biodiversity-Sensitive Design]: that is integrating native, multi-functional plant species into urban design, including vertical gardens and green roofs.
· Ecological Restoration: that is actively restoring urban green and blue spaces to enhance habitat diversity and ecological function.
· Inclusive Governance: that is engaging local residents and stakeholders in the planning and management of urban nature.
🎬 Editing, Layout and Contents by: © MonacoEcoArt](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/704041748_18591891829048354_6937176257147723648_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=oLaJEkOTfjUQ7kNvwHfjv6E&_nc_oc=AdoI3Juq4tx1ZK78n3ZQ4YlTXuPyGig8coiMz_xGoRuGdjHz4ernIQRuUzTjRiamcu8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=4xBNKGgaY3QltwWAlPhjZg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQHwNVIvH-1VYIapETMRPxKcnousC-7wvyz02Z9hv3zzoEL06R9i5EjHMVwBhOXx0xvIHPoyHC3b&oh=00_Af9TZMeWVaoYGum3pO6IPyeDnIwGieEDuOS6Akm1inpQAA&oe=6A3A13C2)
Nice prepares to play a key role in global ocean protection.
- M Abti
- Feb 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 15, 2023
The news is now official and will make the most iconic city of the south of France world capital of marine ecosystems. Nice Côte d'Azur will host the 2025 UN Oceans Conference (UNOC 2025). Emmanuel Macron, President of France, announced it on Friday the 10th February 2023. In the meanwhile, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and Delegate President of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Region, reinforced the idea of the President to convert the capital of the French Riviera into a symbolic place where to sign a new Agreement focused on ocean preservation, in the footsteps of 2015 Paris Agreement at COP21. The third stage of the international summit, after New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022), promises to be full of content to debate and decisive in determining the new policies from here to mid-century.
The core idea is to make oceans and their environments an asset of primary importance for Planet Earth and an essential element to maintain liveable for all living beings. France and Costa Rica will be promoting countries for the 'blue cause' and Nice the cornerstone of the whole process. According to recent statements by Christian Estrosi, that choice is directly linked to the strong environmentally friendly engagement of local community and institutions to host about 20,000 heads of state, government representatives, scientists and associations coming from all over the world.
The whole urban area has already started its eco-transformation by demolishing heat islands, greening further ten hectares and launching more efficient devices to treat water and waste. Moreover, a targeted plastic-free campaign is already involving catering services for most of the school institutions (28,000 meals per day). Last but not least, the Mayor is willing to create by 2025 a new comprehensive marine protected area corresponding to the Bay of Angels, along the famous Promenade des Anglais.
A great opportunity for Nice, whose fame is already high for its harmonious beauty and mild weather but also for the recent inclusion in the list of the UNESCO's World Heritage List. The Municipality is fully committed in ecological transition in several aspects, notably air quality, soft mobility and nature conservation. Everything leads to think that the city can reach and overcome the reputation already purchased while hosting the pivotal 2000 European Summit preliminary to the Treaty of Nice and acting as supporting town to G20, held in Cannes in 2011 . ***
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